ELEPHANT TRUNK PROJECT CONTINUES–HIGHWAY 1 CLOSED OVERNIGHT NEAR THE SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTY LINE UNTIL NOVEMBER

SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTIES– A project to construct a retaining wall on Highway 1 in northern San Luis Obispo/southern Monterey Counties is underway. It will serve as a permanent restoration effort in this area known for major slides.

Construction next week will include the placement of lagging and ground anchors. This week they are demobilizing the drill and crane. This phase of the project continues with full overnight closures on Highway 1 from Gorda to Ragged Point which began June 22 is tentatively scheduled through the end of November, weather permitting. Roadwork will take place Sunday nights through Friday mornings from10 pm until 7 am.

Motorists traveling north/south of these closures are advised to reach their destinations before 10 pm.All local businesses along the coast will remain open during this roadwork.

Motorists will encounter one-way reversing traffic control via a temporary traffic signal 24/7 except during overnight full closures. Traffic delays during the one-way traffic control will be 5-10 minutes.

The contractor for this $9.5 million project is John Madonna Construction of San Luis Obispo, CA. This project is expected to be completed in winter 2016-17.

This photo shows the last pile being poured.
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*UPDATE #10*

HIGHWAY 1/COW CLIFFS VIADUCT PROJECT CONTINUES

MONTEREY COUNTY– A primarily daytime ∏-mile project to construct a viaduct along Hwy. 1 near Lucia from south of Big Creek Bridge to South of Dolan Creek Bridge, 18 miles south of Big Sur began on Aug. 31, Caltrans officials announced today.

Cow Cliffs will have daytime roadwork next week consisting of drilling to install piles for the viaduct. Up to 10-minute holds may be in effect to ensure the safe delivery of materials. Hwy. 1 at Cow Cliffs will have one-way signalized traffic control 24/7, which is already in place. However, full overnight closures will not take place until approximately December, after the Elephant Trunk Retaining Wall overnight closures have been completed.

The project consists of constructing a permanent viaduct, about five miles north of Lucia and 18 miles south of Big Sur. Daily roadwork schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors so stay tuned for regular updates. ALL BUSINESSES ALONG THE BIG SUR COAST WILL REMAIN OPEN.

In order to minimize traffic impact as part of the project, there will be advance notification for motorists, residents and businesses via a traffic hotline, electronic message signs and email updates.

The contractor for this $3.9 million project is RGW Construction Inc. of Livermore, CA. Completion is scheduled for fall of 2016, weather permitting.

Photo of Cow Cliffs area where crew is drilling a viaduct pile.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway
construction zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm. Motorists can also contact the toll-free hotline from Cambria to Carmel at: 888-836-0866.